Connect with us
Advertisement
Advertisement

News

County Councillor can’t bring himself to vote at the general election

Published

on

Paul Dowson at the 2017 election count: At Sir Thomas Picton School (pic: The Herald)

A NEWLY elected member of Pembrokeshire County Council has taken to social media to say that he will not be voting at the general election.

County Councillor Paul Dowson, who scraped into a seat in Pembroke Dock Central ward by just a few votes, and who says that he is a firm believer that every vote counts, has admitted that he cannot be comfortable with voting for any party on June 8.

In the Facebook rant on the Pembrokeshire Council Watch group, he said today (May 16): “I am a big advocate for not wasting a vote, especially since winning my own campaign by just four votes.

“Having said this I will technically be wasting my vote in the general election. There isn’t one party I would be comfortable voting for.

“Tories are exactly as majority of people say and could someone like me ever associate myself with that brand of politics. Elitist toffs with no sense of what the real world is about. Crap leader and no one with an ounce of leadership essentials waiting in the wings

“Labour have gone from being a down to earth hard working persons party. To a bunch of molly coddled PC obsessed gang of spineless liberal hippies.

“Corbyn makes me want to shake him and give him the back of my hand. Has about 10% of the required elements to justify his existence as a Man! The other 90% are definitely girl or hippy derived.

“I think Mr Tierney is a good candidate but would not vote for him because of the labour party lacking courage. Sorry Marc.

“Liberal Democrats …yeah right.

“UKIP. .. Brilliant principles right ideas tick most of my boxes..

“Farage though not a hope wrong leader unvotable.

“The remainder of the parties… What benefits would there be for voting for a party with no hope?”

Cllr Dowson concluded: “I guess in my situation I have to waste my vote.”

The candidates for the Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire ward are Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democracts, Phil Edwards, UKIP Wales, Simon Hart, Welsh Conservative Party, Abi Thomas, Plaid Cymru The Party of Wales, Mac Tierney, Welsh Labour.

Speaking to The Herald, Cllr Downson said: “I am not a politician and I do not want to be a politician. I believe strongly in using your vote so I’d rather vote for a party I can trust than one I can’t trust.
“I couldn’t not use my vote but it will be for one of the political parties I personally have no faith in. I voted for Blair’s Labour, I voted for Thatcher even though I didn’t agree with all they stood for, but at the time they had good points. I disagree with a lot of the main parties’ attitudes and policies… granted all sides have points I believe in.
“I’m a councillor whose job it is to serve my people, not my people and my party. I am independent for that very reason – it shouldn’t matter which political party I support or don’t support, I’m not splitting my loyalties at this close to the people level.
“I support and serve the people of my ward regardless of my views on Corbyn or Farage or May (is she James May’s sister?). There are those who have started trolling me because of this but this is why I avoid politics – best leave that to the politicians. I make no apology for what I think about party leaders, it’s better to quote the truth than to quote a party statement.
“I have no idea why there are a handful of people who can’t accept that my loyalties are with my community and that I have my own opinions on political parties… I value my right to vote that should be the issue here not who I will vote for.”

Crime

Police arrest suspects following vehicle interferences in Haverfordwest

Published

on

HAVERFORDWEST police responded swiftly after reports of multiple vehicle interferences in the Tasker Way area on Sunday night/early Monday morning (Nov 4).

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPPT) conducted extensive house-to-house enquiries, gathering evidence and reassuring the community. These efforts led to the identification of two suspects.

Both NPPT and Response teams acted promptly, locating and arresting the suspects, who are now in police custody.

Continue Reading

News

Ancient Welsh hymns brought into 21st century with unique collaboration between Lleuwen Steffan and National Eisteddfod

Published

on

Some of Wales’ long-forgotten hymn tunes are being brought vividly back to life this month, thanks to award-winning singer, songwriter and composer Lleuwen Steffan and her unique collaboration with the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Performing as ‘Tafod Arian’ (Silver Tongue), the collaboration pays homage to the lost voices of the past, and infuses these timeless melodies with some highly contemporary electronic arrangements.

The project originated in 2012 when Lleuwen was working on a music project at St Fagan’s National History Museum where she came across some long-forgotten recordings of hymns which had been left in the sound archives.  None of these hymns could be found in the official hymn books nor the older hymnal editions, possibly as the result of their informal, conversational lyrics, or because they often delved into the world of addiction, mental illness and the darker side of the psyche.

But now these unpublished and unknown hymns will be heard for the first time in over a hundred years when Tabernacl Chapel, Maenclochog, will be one of 50 Welsh chapels to be visited by Tafod Arian.

With translations and insights, the tour breathes new life into archive recordings, ensuring these cherished sacred songs rightfully claim their place in today’s spotlight. Lleuwen masterfully combines electronic and acoustic instrumentation, seamlessly blending the past with the present, and takes the stage alongside a dynamic quintet of international musicians including Sioned Webb and Gethin Elis from Wales, and Nolwenn Korbell and Brieg Guerveno from Brittany.

Despite the hymns’ long-distant past, the music is firmly in the present as Lleuwen uses various instruments to provide angular electronic accompaniment as well as her soulful vocals and guitar.  She provides translations and explanations as she proudly puts the archive recordings of the lost |Welsh hymns on centre stage.  As a result, these sacred songs are being passed on orally rather than via the hymn book which is precisely how Welsh folk music was conveyed.

The long-forgotten hymns will be heard once again in all their glory at Tabernacle Chapel, Maenclochog on Sunday, November 17 at 6.30pm.

Continue Reading

Crime

Suspended sentence for Goodwick man who sent sexual messages to young girl

Published

on

THE FATHER of a young girl sent sexual messages to an individual he believed to be a 12-year-old girl online, Swansea Crown Court heard this week.

An undercover police officer posed as a 12-year-old girl on the website RandoChat, with the decoy’s profile stating they were 18.

James Roberts messaged the decoy on 9 August, stating he was “looking for a naughty girl”.

The decoy promptly informed him that she was 12 years old; however, the defendant continued to send messages referencing sexual acts and self-gratification.

Roberts added the decoy on Snapchat, claiming to be 19 and living in England.

He again sent sexualised messages and, referring to the decoy’s age, said they were “never too young to start sending pictures”.

The defendant also told the decoy that he was having similar sexual conversations with a 14-year-old, Mr Dickens said.

Police attended Roberts’ home in Goodwick on 17 August, and he was arrested. He denied having a mobile phone, claiming he “had sent it off to Samsung to be fixed” but was “extremely vague” when asked for further details. Mr Dickens said no phone was ever recovered by police.

The 28-year-old Roberts pleaded guilty to attempted sexual communication with a child. The court heard that he had no previous convictions.

Hannah George, in mitigation, said the defendant showed “some degree of remorse” and that there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation.

“In the 13 months since he was interviewed there have been no further offences,” she said.

Ms George said Roberts had suffered “significant” shame and embarrassment as a result of the offences, and it had led to him losing his job.

He had previously been diagnosed with PTSD and suffered “deep periods of depression”, Ms George said.

She added that his contact with his young daughter “has been diminished” following these offences.

“You were in contact online with who you firmly believed to be a 12-year-old girl,” said Judge Paul Thomas KC, addressing Roberts.

“You have a two-year-old daughter. Just think how you would feel if a man in his thirties tried to have that sort of conversation with her in 10 years’ time.”

Roberts was sentenced to 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for two years. He must complete 35 days of an accredited programme and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement programme days.

He must also register as a sex offender for 10 years and was made the subject of a three-year sexual harm prevention order.

Continue Reading

News15 hours ago

Motorcyclist dies after collision on A40 near Canaston Bridge

DYFED-POWYS Police is investigating a fatal motorcycle collision that occurred around 11:15pm on Friday (Nov 1) on the A40, just...

Community15 hours ago

Pembroke man born in prison after mum’s wrongful conviction battles aggressive cancer

BETHAN CARTER-HEWINS has spoken to The Pembrokeshire Herald about the her husband’s Josh’s desperate fight to conquer a very rare...

News2 days ago

Missing photographer Chris Ellery safe in Ireland after two-day ordeal

A KEEN photographer from Bristol, Chris Ellery, has made a miraculous landing in Ireland after his small boat broke down...

Crime3 days ago

Pembrokeshire man admits ‘overstepping’ in stalking case

A HAVERFORDWEST man acknowledged he ‘overstepped’ following charges of home burglary and stalking. Spencer Lepetit, aged 35 and residing in...

News3 days ago

Police confirm man found dead in Clarbeston Road property

A MAN has been found dead at a property in Clarbeston Road on Friday (Nov 1). Dyfed-Powys Police were called...

News4 days ago

Cliff fire ignited by Fireworks near Lindsway Bay

AT 10:11pm on Thursday (Oct 31), the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crew from Milford Haven Fire...

Crime5 days ago

Fishguard man jailed for sexual assault on stranger in her own home

A FISHGUARD man who subjected a woman to a “brutal” assault in her own home, dragging her back by her...

Business5 days ago

Pembrokeshire’s Barti Rum wins Gold at Great British Food Awards 2024

Renowned food expert and TV personality Merlin Griffiths has awarded Barti Spiced Rum a gold Badge at this year’s Great...

Sport5 days ago

Pembrokeshire racer crowned world champion with Tom Brady’s electric raceboat team

A Welsh racer has clinched the title of world champion with Team Brady, a team co-owned by American football legend...

News6 days ago

Taxes up, spending up – It’s Reeves’ gig gamble

THE HEADLINE from today’s Budget is a £40bn increase in taxes. However, those tax increases are aimed at wealth, investment...

Popular This Week